Footwear having a detachable heel system

ABSTRACT

A heel attachment assembly for detachably engaging a shoe receptacle member with a heel member. The heel attachment assembly is configured to be disposed in a sole portion of a shoe receptacle member. The heel attachment assembly includes a spring loaded locking pin having a first end and a second end. The spring loaded locking pin is moveable between a first unlocked position and a second locked position such that when in its first unlocked position the first end is in disengagement with a shoe heel and when in its second position is in engagement with a shoe heel fitted adjacent the heel attachment assembly.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This patent application claims priority from U.S. Application Ser. No. 61/280,335 filed on Nov. 2, 2009.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to footwear, and more particularly, to footwear having a detachable heel system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The advantages of footwear having a detachable heel are generally understood in the art. In modern urban society, women in the workplace often wear a pair of walking shoes such as sneakers to and from the workplace and change to a more business type footwear for the office. A shoe having a detachable heel eliminates the need to carry an extra pair of shoes by permitting the wearer to wear a low heel shoe to and from the workplace and convert the same shoe to a higher heel for the office. Also, a detachable heel can be replaced when it becomes worn without having to take the shoes to a repair shop. Additionally, the heel may be changed for cosmetic purposes.

Various constructions for a shoe having a detachable heel have been proposed in the prior art. Such exemplary prior art references include: U.S. Pat. No. 4,610,100 to Rhodes; U.S. Pat. No. 1,237,893 to Gilbert; U.S. Pat. No. 7,574,819 to Rie; U.S. Pat. No. 2,284,326 to Korda; U.S. Pat. No. 1,435,797 to Berube; and U.S. Pat. No. 1,490,797 to Borger.

However, the aforesaid prior art shoes having a detachable heel generally comprise complicated assemblies providing an unsecure fit. Such constructions prevent the development of a marketable shoe having a detachable heel because complex constructions cannot be manufactured at a cost-effective price and cannot be utilized in the fast-paced world where it is most needed. The primary market for a shoe having a detachable heel is preferably for working women. For the shoe to be favorably received by this market the heel must be easily and quickly detachable. Also it is important that the shoe maintain a pleasing appearance when used with any height of heel. And most important, it is critical that a secure fight is accomplished between a heel and the attached shoe portion.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the invention relates to a footwear system having a heel member which detachable engages with a shoe receptacle portion. The footwear system includes a shoe receptacle portion having a sole portion and a heel member having an body portion defined by first and second opposing ends wherein the first end includes at least one upstanding heel prong and a locking pin recess.

A heel attachment assembly is disposed in the sole portion of the shoe receptacle portion operable to detachable engage the shoe heel member with the shoe receptacle portion. The heel attachment assembly includes a spring loaded locking pin having a first end and a second end wherein the spring loaded locking pin is moveable between a first unlocked position and a second locked position. When the spring loaded locking pin is in the first unlocked position its first end is disengaged from the locking pin recess of the shoe heel member and when in its second position is slideably received in the locking pin recess of the shoe heel member fitted adjacent a bottom surface of said sole portion of the shoe receptacle portion. The heel attachment assembly further includes at least one locking opening formed in a bottom portion of the heel attachment assembly configured to slidably receive a heel prong upstanding from a shoe heel member fitted adjacent a bottom surface of the sole portion of the shoe receptacle portion.

In a further aspect of the invention, the heel attachment assembly includes a first locking cavity having a bottom wall and a top wall through which slidably receives a first flange member coupled to the spring loaded locking pin. The first end of the spring loaded locking pin extends distal from the first flange member such that when the spring loaded locking pin is in its first unlocked position, the first end of the spring loaded locking pin is disposed in the first locking cavity. When the spring loaded locking pin is in its second locked position, the first end of the spring loaded locking pin extends outwardly from the first locking cavity so as to slideably receive in the locking pin recess of the shoe heel portion. Further provided is a second locking cavity having a top wall and a bottom wall adjacent the top wall of the first locking cavity through which slidably receives a second flange member coupled to the spring loaded locking pin. A spring member is disposed between the second flange member and the top wall of the second cavity biasing the spring loaded locking pin to its second locked position.

A further aspect of the invention includes a locking cap cooperating with the second end of the spring loaded locking pin such that when the spring loaded locking pin is in its second locked position the locking cap is disposed generally adjacent a cavity portion defined in the sole portion of the shoe receptacle. And when the spring loaded locking pin is in its first unlocked position, the locking cap extends outwardly from the cavity portion defined in the sole portion of the shoe receptacle portion. The locking cap is configured and operable to be grasped by user so as to move the spring loaded locking pin from its second locked position to its first unlocked position causing the first end of the locking pin to disengage from the locking pin recess of the heel member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The objects and features of the invention may be understood with reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment of the present invention taken together in conjunction with the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of footwear having a shoe portion detachably engaged with a heel member in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the shoe portion of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3 a and 3 b are perspective views of the heel member of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 4 a and 4 b are cross-sectional views of the heel detachment assembly used in the footwear of FIG. 1 depicting the heel detachment assembly in an open and unlocked position;

FIG. 5 is a bottom planar view of the heel plate of the shoe portion of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 a is a top planar view of a locking cap provided in the heel detachment assembly of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 b is a cross-sectional view of the locking cap of FIG. 6 a; and

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the heel detachment assembly FIG. 4 depicting the heel detachment assembly in a closed and locked position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following disclosure presents and describes various exemplary embodiments in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it should be understood that other embodiments may be realized without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the following detailed description is presented for purposes of illustration only, and not of limitation, and the scope of the invention is defined solely by the appended claims.

With reference now to certain illustrated embodiments of the present invention, and with initial reference to FIG. 1, illustrated is a footwear system designated generally by reference numeral 10. It is to be appreciated that while footwear system 10 is illustrated as a woman's high heel shoe, this is for illustrative purposes only and is not to be understood to be limited thereto. Rather, it is to be appreciated and understood that footwear system 10 may encompass virtual any type and style of footwear in which it is desirable to have a removable and detachable heel member.

Footwear system 10 includes a shoe portion 12 and a detachable heel member 14. Shoe portion 12 includes a sole plate 16 fixedly attached to the bottom portion of the shoe portion 12. As discussed below, a heel detachment assembly 50 is located within the sole plate 16 configured and operative to detachably engage heel member 14 with shoe portion 12.

With reference now to FIGS. 2 a and 2 b, illustrated is heel member 14 detached from the heel detachment assembly 50 of shoe portion 12. The top portion of heel member 14 preferably includes three heel prongs 18 each upstanding from the top portion of heel member 14. In the illustrated embodiments, each heel prong 18 has a general “L” body configuration, each configured and operable to detachably engage within the heel detachment assembly 50, as described further below. It is to be appreciated that the invention is not to be limited to including only three heel prongs 18 as it is to be understood that any number of heel prongs 18 may be employed which achieves detachable engagement of a heel member 14 with a shoe portion 12 in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. Similarly, each heel prong 18 is not to be understood to be limited to an “L” shaped body configuration as it may encompass any configuration which achieves detachable engagement of a heel member 14 with a shoe 12 portion in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

With reference now to FIGS. 4 a and 4 b, depicted in accordance with certain illustrated embodiments of the invention is the heel detachment assembly, designated generally by reference numeral 50. Heel detachment assembly 50 is generally provided and formed in the sole portion 16 of shoe 10 and atop a plurality of openings 150-154 formed in the sole portion 16. With reference to FIG. 5, the plurality of openings formed in the sole portion 16 include three (3) generally “L” shaped openings 150-154 and a circular lock pin recess opening 170. Each “L” shaped opening 150-154 includes an engagement section 172-174 disposed at an acute angle relative to a curved locking opening portion 176-180. As discussed below, each “L” shaped opening 150-154 is configured to receive a heel prong 18 of heel member 4 when inserted therewithin.

Heel attachment assembly 50 includes a locking pin 52 having a first annular flange 54 spaced in proximity from a distal end 53 of locking pin 52. A second annular flange 56 is provided on locking pin 52 intermediate the first annular flange 54 and a “T” shaped end 58 of locking pin 52.

As best shown in FIG. 4 b, the first flange 54 of locking pin 52 is slideably disposed in a first cavity 60 preferably defined in heel plate 16 and is moveable between a distal position and a proximal position (FIG. 4 b illustrates flange 54 disposed in its proximal position while FIG. 7 illustrates its distal position). Likewise, the second annular flange 56 of locking pin 52 is slideably disposed in a second cavity 62 defined above the first cavity 60. The second cavity 62 has a top wall 64 and bottom wall 63 adjacent the top wall of the first cavity 60. The second annular flange 56 is movable between the bottom wall 63 and the top wall 64 in the second cavity 64.

A spring member 70 is disposed about the locking pin 52 at a position between the second annular flange 56 and the top wall 64 of the second cavity 62. A first end 71 of the spring member 70 is biased against the top wall 64 of the second cavity 62 causing the second end 72 of the spring member 70 to bias against the second annular flange 56 causing it to move downward, and to rest against, the bottom wall 63 of the second cavity 62 (as shown in FIG. 7).

A locking cap member 80 is slideably disposed about locking pin 52 at a position between the top wall 64 of the second cavity 64 and the “T” shaped end 58 of locking pin 52. It is noted the “T” shaped end 58 is dimensioned larger than the aperture formed in cap member 80 through which slideably receives locking pin 53. Thus, when the locking pin 52 is disposed in its locked and downward biased position (via spring 70) as shown in FIG. 7, its aforesaid “T” shaped end 58 abuts against and bias' the locking cap member 80 downward such that a top surface 82 of the locking cap 80 is preferably flush with the top surface 17 of the sole portion 16, the significance of which will be discussed further below.

With reference now to FIGS. 6 a and 6 b, the cap member 80 preferably has as annular outer configuration. A finger recessed portion 84 is defined in the top surface of the cap member 80 which preferably includes a upstanding finger wall 86 defined in an intermediate portion of the finger recessed portion 84. The finger recessed portion 84 is configured to accept a user's fingers such that a user by grasping upon the finger wall 86 causes the cap member 80 to move upwards towards it's open (and unlocked position) (via engagement with the T-shaped 58 of locking pin 52) as shown in FIGS. 4 a and 4 b wherein the first flange member 54 of locking pin 52 abuts against the top wall 63 of cavity 60 preventing further upward movement.

With reference now to FIG. 7, when cap member 80 is positioned in its closed and locked position, a locking cavity 90 is provided between the cap member 80 and the heel plate 16 which cavity 90 is dimensioned to accommodate the top bent ends 19 of heel prongs 18, as will be further described below.

It is to be appreciated, that under the force of spring member 70 and via a user's uplifting engagement with finger wall 86, cap member 80 is movably from a closed and locked position as shown in FIG. 7 to an open and unlocked position as shown in FIG. 4 a. As to be described below, when in the closed and locked position (FIG. 7), the heel detachment assembly 50 is operative to securely affix a detachable heel member 14 to a shoe receptacle 12. And when in the open and un-locked position (FIG. 4 a), a heel member 14 may be removed from detachable engagement with detachment assembly 50 and shoe receptacle 12. It is also to be appreciated that when heel detachment assembly 50 is in the closed and locked position (FIG. 7), the distal end 53 of the locking pin 52 outwardly extends from the bottom surface of the heel plate 16, the significance of which will become apparent below.

With the components of the footwear system 10 described above for providing detachable engagement of a heel member 14 with a shoe portion 12, its method of use will now be described.

Starting with reference to FIG. 3 a, when a user desires to detachably engage a selected heel member 14 with a selected shoe portion 12 in accordance with the illustrated embodiments of the invention, the user manipulates and causes the top bent ends 19 of each heel prong 18 to enter within a respective engagement section 172-174 provided in each “L” shaped opening 150-154 defined in the sole portion 16 of shoe receptacle 12 (FIG. 5). The user then moves the heel member 14 towards sole portion 16 until the top planar surface 21 of the heel member 14 preferably abuts against, and is adjacent to, the bottom planar surface of the sole portion 16. It is noted that as the top planar surface 21 of the heel member 14 moves proximal to the sole portion 16, under force of the user, the distal end 53 of the locking pin 52 extending outwardly from the sole portion 16 will come in contact with the top planar surface 21 of the heel member 14. This engagement counteracts the biasing force exerted by spring member 70 on the locking pin 52, causing the locking pin 52 to move upward within the detachment assembly 50 such that the distal end 53 of locking pin 52 no longer extends outwardly from the sole portion 16, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 a and 4 b.

Next, the user then simply rotates the heel member 14 in a counter-clockwise orientation relative to the shoe portion 12 such that the respective heel prongs 18 slideably receive within the aforesaid curved locking opening portion 176-180 defined by each “L” shaped opening 150-154 (FIG. 5) until each heel prong 18 abuts against an end point (175,177,179) of each respective “L” shaped opening 150-154. When this point is reached, the distal end 53 of locking pin 52 is aligned with the lock pin opening 170 defined in the top planar surface 21 of heel member 14 such that under the biasing force of spring member 70, the distal end 53 of locking pin 52 once again extends outwardly from the bottom surface of heel plate 16 so as to slideably receive in the lock pin opening 170 of the heel member 14. Thereafter, and as shown in FIG. 7, the first annular flange member 54 of locking pin 52 abuts against the bottom wall of cavity 60 such that its “T” shaped end 58 causes the cap member 80 to move downward into the cavity formed in the heel plate 16 configured to receive the cap member 80 whereby the top surface of the cap member 80 is preferably flush with the top surface of the heel plate 16. Thereafter, the heel member 14 is securely and detachably locked in place with the shoe portion 12, via heel detachment assembly 50, as shown in FIG. 1. A user may then dispose a sole cushion within shoe portion 12 to sit atop the top portion of heel plate 16 so as to conceal the cap member 80 and provide comfort to the user.

When a user desires to remove a heel member 14 from a shoe portion 12 (for numerous reasons including to change the style and/or size of the heel) the user gains access to cap member 80 preferably disposed flush with the heel plate 16, and preferably by grasping the finger wall 86, pulls upward causing the cap member 80 to move outwardly from the aforesaid cavity formed in the heel plate 16. With returning reference to FIGS. 4 a and 4 b, this outwardly movement of the cap member 80, causes cap member 80 to engage with the spring loaded locking pin 52 causing upward movement of the locking pin 52 such that its aforesaid distal end 53 moves outwardly from the locking pin opening 170 of heel member 14. The heel member 14 is then in an unlocked position enabling the user to rotate the heel member 14 in a clockwise orientation until the aforesaid top bent ends 19 of each respective heel prong 18 is aligned with a respective engagement section 172-174 provided in each “L” shaped opening 150-154 defined in the heel plate 16. Thereafter, the user moves the heel member 14 and shoe portion 12 apart from one another such that the heel member 14 is caused to be separated from the shoe portion 12, as illustrated in FIG. 2 and FIGS. 3 a & 3 b.

The user may then detachably engage, and disengage, another heel member 14 to the shoe portion 12 by repeating of the above process.

It is to be appreciated that only certain embodiments have been described herein to implement the footwear system described above in accordance with certain features and advantages of the present invention. However, one skilled in the art will appreciate further features and advantages of the invention based on the above-described embodiments. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited by what has been particularly shown and described, except as indicated by the appended claims. All publications and references cited herein are expressly incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

Optional embodiments of the present invention may also be said to broadly consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated herein, individually or collectively, in any or all combinations of two or more of the parts, elements or features, and wherein specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which the invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth.

Although illustrated embodiments of the present invention has been described, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions, and alterations can be made by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention. 

1. A heel attachment assembly for detachably engaging a shoe receptacle member with a heel member, said heel attachment assembly configured to be disposed in a sole portion of a said shoe receptacle member, said heel attachment assembly including a spring loaded locking pin having a first end and a second end wherein said spring loaded locking pin is moveable between a first unlocked position and a second locked position wherein in said first unlocked position said first end is in disengagement with a shoe heel and when in said second position is in engagement with a shoe heel fitted adjacent said heel attachment assembly.
 2. A heel attachment assembly as recited in claim 1 further including at least one locking opening formed in a bottom portion of said heel attachment assembly configured to slideably receive a heel prong upstanding from shoe heel fitted adjacent a said sole portion of a said shoe receptacle portion.
 3. A heel attachment assembly as recited in claim 2 wherein three locking openings are formed in a bottom portion of said heel attachment each having a generally “L” shaped configuration.
 4. A heel attachment assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said second end of said spring loaded locking pin cooperates with a locking cap such that when said spring loaded locking pin is in said second locked position said locking cap is disposed generally adjacent a cavity portion defined in said heel attachment assembly and when said spring loaded locking pin is in said first unlocked position said locking cap extends outwardly from said cavity portion defined in said heel attachment assembly.
 5. A heel attachment assembly as recited in claim 4 wherein said locking cap is configured and operable to be grasped by user so as to move said first end of said spring loaded locking pin from said second locked position to said first unlocked position.
 6. A heel attachment assembly as recited in claim 5 further including a first locking cavity having a bottom wall and a top wall through which slidably receives a first flange member coupled to said spring loaded locking pin wherein said first end of said spring loaded locking pin extends distal from said first flange member such that when said spring loaded locking pin is in said first unlocked position said first end of said spring loaded locking pin is disposed in said first locking cavity and when said spring loaded locking pin is in said second locked position said first end of said spring loaded locking pin extends outwardly from said first locking cavity.
 7. A heel attachment assembly as recited in claim 6 further including a second locking cavity having a top wall and a bottom wall adjacent said top wall of said first locking cavity through which slidably receives a second flange member coupled to said spring loaded locking pin wherein a spring member is disposed between said second flange member and said top wall of said second cavity biasing said spring loaded locking pin to its second locked position.
 8. A heel attachment assembly as recited in claim 2 further including a heel prong cavity defined adjacent said at least one locking opening configured to receive a heel prong slidably received through said at least one locking opening.
 9. A footwear system comprising: a shoe receptacle portion having a sole portion; and a heel attachment assembly disposed in said sole portion of said shoe receptacle portion operable to detachable engage a shoe heel member with said shoe receptacle portion, said heel attachment assembly including: a spring loaded locking pin having a first end and a second end wherein said spring loaded locking pin is moveable between a first unlocked position and a second locked position whereby when in said first unlocked position said first end is in disengagement with a shoe heel member and when in said second position is in engagement with a said shoe heel member fitted adjacent a bottom surface of said sole portion of said shoe receptacle portion; and at least one locking opening formed in a bottom portion of said heel attachment assembly configured to slidably receive a heel prong upstanding from a said shoe heel fitted adjacent a bottom surface of said sole portion of said shoe receptacle portion.
 10. A footwear system as recited in claim 9 wherein three locking openings are formed in a bottom portion of said heel attachment each having a generally “L” shaped configuration.
 11. A footwear system as recited in claim 9 wherein said second end of said spring loaded locking pin cooperates with a locking cap such that when said spring loaded locking pin is in said second locked position said locking cap is disposed generally adjacent a cavity portion defined in said sole portion and when said spring loaded locking pin is in said first unlocked position said locking cap extends outwardly from said cavity portion defined in said sole portion.
 12. A footwear system as recited in claim 11 wherein said locking cap is configured and operable to be grasped by user so as to move said spring loaded locking pin from said second locked position to said first unlocked position.
 13. A footwear system as recited in claim 12 wherein said heel attachment assembly further includes a first locking cavity having a bottom wall and a top wall through which slidably receives a first flange member coupled to said spring loaded locking pin wherein said first end of said spring loaded locking pin extends distal from said first flange member such that when said spring loaded locking pin is in said first unlocked position said first end of said spring loaded locking pin is disposed in said first locking cavity and when said spring loaded locking pin is in said second locked position said first end of said spring loaded locking pin extends outwardly from said first locking cavity and a bottom surface of said sole plate.
 14. A footwear system as recited in claim 13 wherein said heel attachment assembly further includes a second locking cavity having a top wall and a bottom wall adjacent said top wall of said first locking cavity through which slidably receives a second flange member coupled to said spring loaded locking pin wherein a spring member is disposed between said second flange member and said top wall of said second cavity biasing said spring loaded locking pin to its second locked position.
 15. A footwear system as recited in claim 9 wherein said heel attachment assembly further includes a heel prong cavity defined adjacent said at least one locking opening configured to receive a heel prong of a heel member slidably received through said at least one locking opening.
 16. A footwear system comprising: a shoe receptacle portion having a sole portion; a heel member having an body portion defined by first and second opposing ends wherein said first end includes at least one upstanding heel prong and locking pin recess. a heel attachment assembly disposed in said sole portion of said shoe receptacle portion operable to detachable engage said shoe heel member with said shoe receptacle portion, said heel attachment assembly including: a spring loaded locking pin having a first end and a second end wherein said spring loaded locking pin is moveable between a first unlocked position and a second locked position whereby when in said first unlocked position said first end is in disengagement with a shoe heel member and when in said second position is slideably received in said locking pin recess of said shoe heel member fitted adjacent a bottom surface of said sole portion of said shoe receptacle portion; and at least one locking opening formed in a bottom portion of said heel attachment assembly configured to slidably receive a heel prong upstanding from said shoe heel member fitted adjacent a bottom surface of said sole portion of said shoe receptacle portion.
 17. A footwear system as recited in claim 16 wherein three locking openings are formed in a bottom portion of said heel attachment each having a generally “L” shaped configuration and said heel member includes three upstanding heel prongs each having a general “L” shaped configuration.
 18. A footwear system as recited in claim 17 wherein said second end of said spring loaded locking pin cooperates with a locking cap such that when said spring loaded locking pin is in said second locked position said locking cap is disposed generally adjacent a cavity portion defined in said sole portion and when said spring loaded locking pin is in said first unlocked position said locking cap extends outwardly from said cavity portion defined in said sole portion.
 19. A footwear system as recited in claim 16 wherein said locking cap is configured and operable to be grasped by user so as to move said spring loaded locking pin from said second locked position to said first unlocked position causing said first end of said locking pin to disengage from said locking pin recess of said heel portion.
 20. A footwear system as recited in claim 19 wherein said heel attachment assembly further includes: a first locking cavity having a bottom wall and a top wall through which slidably receives a first flange member coupled to said spring loaded locking pin wherein said first end of said spring loaded locking pin extends distal from said first flange member such that when said spring loaded locking pin is in said first unlocked position said first end of said spring loaded locking pin is disposed in said first locking cavity and when said spring loaded locking pin is in said second locked position said first end of said spring loaded locking pin extends outwardly from said first locking cavity and a bottom surface of said sole plate so as to slideably receive in said locking pin recess of said heel portion; a second locking cavity having a top wall and a bottom wall adjacent said top wall of said first locking cavity through which slidably receives a second flange member coupled to said spring loaded locking pin wherein a spring member is disposed between said second flange member and said top wall of said second cavity biasing said spring loaded locking pin to its second locked position; and a heel prong cavity defined adjacent said at least one locking opening configured to receive a heel prong of a heel member slidably received through said at least one locking opening. 